Sister Missionary

A lot of people have asked me recently why I have decided to serve a mission. 

Goodness.

There are so many amazing and wonderful reasons why, i'll cover what I can.  

I am 18 years old. All my life I've grown up knowing boys go on missions when they are 19 and girls can go on missions if they are 21.  

Twenty-one. 

A lot of members, and even non members would joke that sister missionaries were the girls who couldn't find a husband.  Which is not (always) true.  I never seriously thought about serving a mission before this past fall semester, 21 was too old for me.  I knew if I got to that age and had nothing else to do I would go on one.  But that's exactly what's wrong.  "if I had nothing else to do."

Then my best friend, Josh,  started encouraging me to think about it.  And I seriously did.  I was ready to go and serve, I just didn't know where the next 2 years were going to take me though...  That's when I realized... 

Missions are something to do. 

To plan and prepare for and countdown the days until you are able to take your first step into the MTC.  They aren't a back-up plan or a "i have nothing else to do" plan. They are a priority. 

On October 6, 2012 President Thomas S. Monson stood before the world and announced that young men may begin serving their missions at age 18.  

Then he continued and said this:

"As we have prayerfully pondered the age at which young men may begin their missionary service, we have also given consideration to the age at which a young woman might serve. Today I am pleased to announce that able, worthy young women who have the desire to serve may be recommended for missionary service beginning at age 19, instead of age 21."

First, I bawled. 

Second, I texted my mom. I wasn't home during conference and was watching it without my family.  

I told her I wanted to go. 

I took a day to fast and pray and make sure that the Lord needed me to go and serve a mission.  And... He did.  I started my papers within the next few days.

For those who don't know exactly how the missionary application process goes i'll give you the details.  You have to have an interview with your Bishop and Stake President after you fill out a personal information form that asks you about where your family has served missions, if you've studied any foreign languages, how eager you are to learn a foreign language, ect.  Then you fill out a million lovely questions about your medical history.  If you've broken any bones, or have any deadly diseases, things like that.  It's just to make sure you don't get called to Africa if you may need medical care.  Then you get a physical.  (ick)  And get to go to your favorite dentist and make sure your teeth are all squeaky clean.  

oh... and if you have your wisdom teeth they have to be removed...

That'll be happening to me soon.

Once all of that is complete your mission papers are sent to church headquarters and you wait. 

While you're waiting members of the Quorum of the Tweleve Apostles are reveled where missionaries will be called to go.  

Then a super fantastic white envelope is filled with a booklet about your mission, passport applications, and all your packing needs for your 18 month (or 24 month for Elders) mission. 

My call took longer than expected.  A lot longer. 

In your medical papers you have to have a copy of all your immunizations sent in, well, my records were misplaced, lost, sucked into the void along with all the missing socks in the world.  Delayed.  That was the bottom line.  And it was really hard.  I knew I was going on a mission. I didn't know where. I didn't know when. I didn't know what to plan for.  I didn't know anything. But I had faith that everything will work out and happen for a purpose.

The day I held my white envelope in my hand was the best day ever. 

Tahiti Papeete.  

Not only am I learning Tahitian, I will also be learning French. 

Sorry this post is getting super long.  I'll continue it next time. 

Until then, this lovely group of girls on Facebook as united over 3,000 sister missionaries as we prepare to serve.  One of the girls created this video.  President Monson announcing the age change is in it, along with other amazing talks on missionary work.  

xoxo,

mo